Learning about drug dangers in Middleton

As part of Tackling Drugs, Saving Lives week, pupils at Middleton Technology School have been learning about the dangers of drug abuse.

The hard hitting talks, focused on both the highs and lows of drug abuse, were delivered to pupils by the police.

Young people who have been identified as experimenting with illegal substances and abusing alcohol outside of school, have been enrolled onto a 12 week early intervention course aimed at re-educating them about the dangers and the consequences of taking part in such crimes.

The talks focused on both drug dealing and drug taking, alcohol and antisocial behaviour and gang culture; including knife and gun crime. 

David Roberts, Deputy Head Teacher at Middleton Technology School, said: “We have a responsibility to do whatever we can to prevent our pupils from making the wrong choices in life. We have to tackle these important and serious issues that are part of youth culture today head on. We believe this early intervention initiative is vital in helping to pave a brighter future for some of our more vulnerable students.” 

This year there have been many successes in the number of cannabis farms being recovered and confiscated in Middleton.

In April and May officers from Middleton Neighbourhood Policing Team recovered drugs valued around £150,000 from homes across the town following a series of police raids.

Inspector Gary Hall from Middleton Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “The reclassification of cannabis from a class C to a class B drug has given us even greater powers of arrest. Any adult now caught with cannabis will be prosecuted and those found cultivating or producing cannabis will be arrested, even if it is the first time they have been caught.

“There is a common misconception that cannabis is not as harmful or problematic as some of the harder drugs such as heroin or crack cocaine. Drugs or drug-related crime are something that we as a team and as a force take seriously. We will do everything in our power to eradicate this problem from our town.” 

David Roberts, Deputy Head at Middleton Technology School, said: “We have a responsibility to do whatever we can to prevent our pupils from making the wrong choices in life. We have to tackle these important and serious issues that are part of youth culture today head on. We believe this early intervention initiative is vital in helping to pave a brighter future for some of our more vulnerable students.”